The track has been released for free, with an accompanying video, on the Climate Justice website. Other standout, international contributors include Serena Ryder -- who sings a large part of the verses -- Mark Ronson, Jamie Cullum, Melanie Laurent, Marion Cotillard, Manu Katché, Youssou N'Dour, Yannick Noah, Desmond Tutu, Amadou et Meriam and, of course, Midnight Oil.

The track itself is, predictably, a disjointed hodge-podge of vocals, styles and was probably a nightmare to mix. We particular endearment toward Klaus Meine, lead singer of Scorpions, who was really feelin' this one.

However, the video is patched together well, and we love it when editors make a point of identifying who is doing the singing, instead of assuming we just know who everybody is (although that task is still a fascinating one for "We Are the World," 25 years on). And it utilizes the continued, gratuitous use of that closed-eyed-gripping-the-sides-of-my-headphone-monitors shot, which just keeps the "look" simple.

The call to action and petition for this particular environmental outcry comes weeks in advance of a international meeting of the minds in Copenhagen in December, the stage for discussions between world leaders on how the Kyoto Protocol will be replaced, and with what concrete means.

Makes me wonder, though: how are each of these celebrities concretely helping save the environment? We hear touring is a real gas-vampire...

Below is the video for the new "Beds Are Burning," although do check out the original clip, which boasts a formative contribution to the Bands In Deserts music video genre.

After five years as a columnist and editor at Billboard, Katie Hasty joined HitFix in 2009 for music and film reporting out of New York. The Midwest native has worked as a writer, music promoter and in A&R since 1999 and performs with her band Numbers And Letters.

Comments

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Does anyone know who the girl that sings the, "How do we dance when the earth keeps turning..." part on the billboard? Her name is one of the only ones not listed, and I think she has an incredible voice.